This is a major concern of mine. My father has let me wear his Datejust a few times and it's always solicited responses from people. Mostly negative. That alone has steered my search towards lesser-known brands, as stupid as that is to think aloud.

i was like this for a long time. I avoided rolexes and focused on lesser known brands. But i came back around. I love my GMT IIc and Explorer..maybe im getting old

I cant tell you how excited i am to hear youre saving up for the IWC. Id skip a bespoke commission and get it. well worth it.

Hey Stitch, just as long as you recognize the stretched out bracelet and non original hands will reduce the value of the watch if you ever go to sell or trade it. The bracelet can be replaced if you spend some $, but you won't find hands to match the dial.

well, i had another look at the bracelet, and its really not very stretched, i think that is more of an issue with the older jubilee bracelets, not so much with the oysters. with some research i have learned that its not uncommon for the hands and hour markets to age/develop patina that is not exactly the same, and they both look equally aged outside of that, so i have no real indication that the hands were replaced.

as to the resale value, i am not a big flipper and if i can get my hands on this it will surely be a keeper anyways.

thanks for the points though, it was something to consider and think about, that i may not have otherwise.

well, i had another look at the bracelet, and its really not very stretched, i think that is more of an issue with the older jubilee bracelets, not so much with the oysters. with some research i have learned that its not uncommon for the hands and hour markets to age/develop patina that is not exactly the same, and they both look equally aged outside of that, so i have no real indication that the hands were replaced. .

this is correct. Just looking at the coloring of the hands vs markers is impossible to tell. Bracelet looks great! hell of a watch. Id love to score another one someday.

Thanks guys. It was a bit of a grail watch for me (not particularly ambitious, I know, but that's the way I am), and I really love it. It also seems like only watch people notice/comment on it, which I like.

well, i had another look at the bracelet, and its really not very stretched, i think that is more of an issue with the older jubilee bracelets, not so much with the oysters. with some research i have learned that its not uncommon for the hands and hour markets to age/develop patina that is not exactly the same, and they both look equally aged outside of that, so i have no real indication that the hands were replaced.

as to the resale value, i am not a big flipper and if i can get my hands on this it will surely be a keeper anyways.

thanks for the points though, it was something to consider and think about, that i may not have otherwise.

Sorry Stitch, I have to disagree on the bracelets condition if the photo above is relatively accurate, particularly on the left side of the photo. Yes, the older Jubliees show far more stretch than any of the other Rolex bracelets. However, hollow Oyster bracelets can and do stretch, although it takes many more years of wear than on a hollow Jubilee. I can tell you none of my daily wear Rolex watches on Oyster bracelets, one which is 12 years old another which is 20 years old, show any thing remotely close to the stretch or the spacing between links I see in the left side of the photo. Easy to fix as the old hollow style Oyster bracelets aren't that expensive.

As for the color difference between hands and dial, people can say happens...but many of the examples I've seen are due to a change of hands. Honest people will say they had it done, others don't want to acknowledge anything that may reduce its value. I've seen lots of beautiful examples of vintage Rolex watches and the hands and dials are usually the same color...I've seen it where one or two of the markers on the dial aren't quite the same as the others...but I've never seen it where all markers on the dial were the same cream color and yet all the hands looked to be the same color white as the example you posted...unless the hands were replaced at some point. Yes, you don't have proof they were changed other than the color is different, but then you also don't know that the watch is all original.

Just sharing my thoughts and why I'd probably pass on that example...although I understand condition, value, and desirability of any individual watch can be viewed differently by different collectors. Wishing you luck whatever you decide on the watch. If you're happy with it thats all that matters.

Hi, everyone! Been lurking for months and learned a lot of stuff from you all. Read through all 1,130+ pages (and counting) in this thread, along with some other sites, and after living most of my life with a couple of forgettable quartz pieces I decided to take the plunge last November to upgrade the collection. Started with some classic mechanical pieces, grew restless after a short while so did some trades and upgrades (some of you will know this drill - I went through "the purge" with my clothes and shoes as well). Finally achieved some "peace" with my current collection. Here's one of my faves:

Do folks on the street recognize what this is on my wrist? Not really. Can people tell the difference between white gold and the subtle beauty and heft of this platinum beauty? I don't think so. But I know its value (to me, and in the collectors' market), and I love its aesthetics, workmanship and how its slim 36mm profile slips oh so easily under my shirt cuff. It gives me much joy every time I look at it - probably every few minutes, especially if I'm in a boring meeting. :) Am I a douchebag? Naw, just a guy approaching his 40s who's worked hard all his life, got lucky and got to save some money, and is probably going through a midlife crisis of sorts.

Thanks to you all for sharing your thoughts and pictures in this thread. It is much appreciated.

Some times it also depends on how one wears a watch. I've seen guys that wear them out, almost over their cuff and a manor that people can't help but notice their watch be it a Rolex or some other brand.

However, to be honest I've owned Rolex watches for years and they largely go unnoticed. Even a friend of mine that said he would buy a Rolex because they are too flashy and attract too much attention, decided to buy one of the last generation Explorer IIs. He was concerned about the attention it would draw. He found that no one care, noticed or commented on it and he has worn it for the last 2 years. I think your friend's experience is a bit rare.

And if somones notices, so what! Flaunt it! Only the weak get jealous! When I was a teenybopper I would see older guys flaunting their borlex's some w/diamonds and one guy told me something, that rings true even in these times! when you make enough money you will have things others can't afford, thats life in most societies dudes (UN-SPOKEN, MOSTLY SEEN, REALITY) HA,HA, HA I GOT THE SHINNY ONE AND YOU DID'NT! "YOU JEALOUS YET"